🧚 Opening, part 12

What boots it to make long my tale?1 With the dawning of the day were they of within ready, each man well armed and mounted on a good steed.2 They rode out betimes, and bade undo the gates.3 Thus did they ride forth in all their strength.4

They who kept shield-watch without were ware of them, and led their company against them, but it harmed them naught.5 Morien's weapons were so strong; 'twas he led the vanguard, nor would he yield an inch when he began the strife.6 Never might one behold mortal man who smote such strokes.7 They fought their way through that camp.8 Sir Gawain, Sir Perceval, and Sir Lancelot smote many to death, and came even to the king's tents, and seized their weapons, shields, and spears, ere his folk might come at their arms.9 They knew not what had befallen them.10 No quarter would the knights give.11 They who were with the king slept sound in their ranks, and were sore afeard when they awoke and beheld the armed men who beset them with stern intent; they had many a sore wound ere they fled from the field.12

They took the king by main force; there was no man at his side but was glad and blithe might he escape with his life.13 The king must yield himself a prisoner, thereto did need compel him, otherwise had he been slain and all his folk with him.14

They led the king within the castle, and shut him fast in a tower.15 Never had they so welcome a guest, nor one at whose coming they were so blithe.16 They on the field must escape as best they might.17 Little did they reck of all they brought with them; he might win it who had a mind thereto.18 When the fight was ended King Arthur's men had taken captive much folk and the King of Ireland.19 Matters had gone well for them.20 They held there within that which they deemed many would buy dearly, nor count the gold therefor, nor might they well tell how they had lost it.21 But 'twas their dread of Morien's mighty blows, and of Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and Sir Perceval, who, on the field, had brought many in sore terror and dread of death.22

So brought they their guests within the walls, and shut fast their gates, and hung out their shields, as men who might well defend themselves.23 Then when men beheld Sir Gawain's badge, and Sir Lancelot's pennon beside it, tidings of the combat ran far and wide through the land.24 The king's folk who lay there were sore vexed thereat.25 So soon as they who had besieged the queen heard what had chanced they drew off their forces; and all they who served the king, and who came with him into the lands, were greatly shamed, and desired of Sir Gawain in what wise they might make peace.26

Sir Gawain took counsel with his comrades, and this was their rede, that they must bring King Arthur there before their eyes ere they might make terms for their lord, the king. "27 Then shall we have such good counsel on all points that peace may thereby be made."28

Wherefore should I make my tale over long?29 Little as they liked it they must needs bring King Arthur thither, and thereby make terms for the king, their lord.30 When the tidings ran through the land that the King of Ireland was captive, and that King Arthur was brought thither to treat with him, then was there so great a gathering of Britons that they surrounded Arthur, and took him from the men of Ireland, and brought him with armed hand into the castle despite them all.31 Thus did it fall out well for King Arthur, since he thus escaped, and held captive the king who had erstwhile made him a prisoner.32

Now shall ye hear of the King of Ireland, who lay thus in the prison of the knights.33 When he heard and beheld with his eyes that King Arthur was in very deed free, then did he betake himself to him straight-way, and offered him goods and gold that he might be set at liberty, and he sware that he would be the king's man, and hold all his lands henceforward from him, and would depart from the kingdom with all his folk.34 Thus must the king, being captive, stand at King Arthur's pleasure to pay him such ransom as he might think good.35 Of him will I speak no more.36

Now was King Arthur so blithe thereof that he bid hold a great court, that he might give largesse to all who desired.37 Thither came many, but none were there of such renown, or who had wrought such valiant deeds, as Sir Perceval and Morien.38 The reward that Arthur gave them was exceeding great.39 Sir Gawain told the king all the matter of Morien and of his father, and the chance that had parted them.40 All this did he tell afore the folk, wherefore was Morien much gazed upon.41 Now will I leave this tale and tell ye how Morien rode again to his father, whom he had left sick with his uncle, as I gave ye to wit afore.42

The adventure maketh known that when the strife was ended, and Arthur's land once more at peace, Morien bethought him that he would make his father be wedded to the lady, his mother; and he prayed his uncle to journey with him if he would, and Sir Perceval was right willing thereto.43 Further, said Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot, that they twain would ride with them for honour and for good fellowship.44 For this did Morien thank them much.45 Thus they departed and went their way towards the hermitage.46 They rode blithely in company, telling of many things that had chanced here and elsewhere, until they came to the seashore, where they took ship and crossed over; and when they had passed the water they came straightway to Perceval's uncle, who received them with right goodwill.47

By this was Sir Agloval whole, who had been wounded, and Morien asked him straightway if he were rightly healed, and would now keep the oath which he had aforetime sworn unto his mother.48 Sir Agloval answered that he was whole and sound, and ready thereto. "49 The troth that I swear to your mother will I keep what time as it shall please ye.50 As God is my witness I be altogether ready to do this."51

Quoth Sir Perceval, "Then wherefore delay?52 Your son is so good a knight, and stout a warrior, that ye may well thank heaven that ye begat him.53 Make you ready straightway, and we will fare with ye.54 Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot be come hither in faith and good fellowship, and with us will they journey to the Moorish land."55

Then was there no longer delaying, but they made them ready for the journey, and went their way with Sir Morien, who knew the road better than any man of them all.56 They rode so long that they came thither; and when they of the land heard tell how that Morien had brought his father with him they assembled themselves together, and some were for refusing them entry into the kingdom, since they would fain keep the heritage for themselves.57 But when Morien heard this he waxed so wrathful that he drew his sword and rode among them where there was the greatest press, and slew there fifteen of the nobles who were fain to deny him his inheritance.58

When the others knew of this they came to him and besought his grace, and yielded to him all his heritage, and gave it into the hand of his mother, and became her men, to hold their lands henceforward from her.59 When this was done, and they had proclaimed her queen over all the kingdom of the Moors, then did they hold the bridal feast of Sir Agloval and the queen, and thus were they wedded to each other.60 There was bliss and great rejoicing fourteen days, even till nightfall did they hold high feast with open doors; never a portal was shut.61 There was feasting and great merriment; there were all well served with everything on earth that they might desire.62 Many rich gifts were given, good steeds, raiment of fair colours, many shillings, many pounds, great plenty of all things by which men may the more blithely live.63 The minstrels and the heralds received great largesse, for there was gold enow; each had that which he desired.64

There would Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot abide till that the feast was ended; be ye sure that Sir Perceval and Sir Agloval the bridegroom prayed them thus to honour the bridal, and this they did, in right courteous wise.65 No man of them all, were he poor or rich, but had enough and to spare.66

What more shall I say hereof?67 When the feast was ended, and all the nobles departed, and all had taken leave, then was it in the mind of Sir Gawain, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Perceval to betake them straightway to King Arthur's court, for 'twas nigh to Pentecost, and the king (thus do I read the tale) would hold high court (greater was never held) on behalf of Galahad, Sir Lancelot's son, for that this hero should then come to court, and receive the honour of knighthood.68 And thereof did the tale wax great; how that he should achieve the quest of the Grail, and all the adventures, small and great, which appertained to the Round Table, for 'twas said that he should sit in the Perilous Seat, wherein durst never man sit.69 To behold these marvels would many a man come to court, for the king had bidden all the great folk of the land thither, and many a knight of praise had obeyed his command.70

And for this cause would not Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain and Sir Perceval remain afar, but took their leave of Sir Agloval and of Morien and of his mother, and rode on their way till they came to King Arthur at Camelot, where he abode, as it pleased him well to do when he would fain be at peace.71 And when the king heard of the coming of these three knights, then was he right joyful at that time; and when he learnt concerning Sir Agloval, how his wedding feast had been held, and of the valiant deeds that Morien had done in his own land, then were king and queen alike glad at heart.72

Here will I leave this tale and speak further concerning the Grail, and the winning thereof.73 That shall ye find set forth in the book that followeth hereafter; the other part, that which concerneth Lancelot, here cometh to an end.74 Now do I pray God in words straitly, that He have mercy upon me when my life shall come to an end, and bring my soul to His heavenly kingdom.75 May He grant this my prayer!76